7:14pm: It’s a torn ACL for Butt, who will need to undergo surgery, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
9:51am: A potential first-round pick may have seriously injured his knee during last night’s Orange Bowl. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com writes that Michigan tight end Jake Butt left last night’s contest with an injury. Coach Jim Harbaugh was unsure of any specifics, but he acknowledged that the offensive weapon likely tore his ACL or MCL.
It can take months for athletes to recover from an ACL or MCL tear, meaning Butt will likely miss both the Combine and individual workouts with NFL teams. CBS Sports recently projected that Butt would be selected towards the end of the first round or beginning of the second round. He ranked second behind Alabama’s O.J. Howard among tight end prospects.
It’s certainly admirable that Butt prioritized his team over himself, and some NFL team’s will presumably appreciate that team-first attitude. However, while Butt should still be taken in the upcoming NFL draft, we shouldn’t expect to see him selected in the first two rounds. We can only assume that Butt’s draft stock has dropped with this recent injury, which will also cost the prospect significant money.
Butt had collected three catches and 28 yards last night prior to the injury. This season, the senior tight end compiled 46 receptions for 546 yards and four touchdowns.
Despite the injury, Butt said that he doesn’t regret playing in last night’s Orange Bowl.
“Never once crossed my mind to sit this game out and I would never change that mindset,” Butt tweeted. “I play this game because I love it, my teammates and coaches.”
We’ve seen a number of potential first-round draft prospects announce that they’ll skip out on their team’s bowl game to avoid injury, including LSU running back Leonard Fournette and Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey.
I have never been able to stand Michigan but I have always liked this guy so I wish him well and who knows I feel like Belicheck would be smart to take him in the later rounds because Gronk can’t stay healthy so having this guy as depth isn’t a bad thing
I’d be lying if I said that exact scenario didn’t cross my mind
Same
He’s gonna be a steeler 3 or 4 rounder
I guess Pats. Bennett is leaving. Gronk is a china doll anymore.
He won’t fall that far. End of the 2nd. It’s an acl or mcl. That’s like having the flu for an athlete anymore
I’m guessing you haven’t torn your acl
Heh heh butt
I have been waiting for that comment but having Butt on the pats and get mentored by one of if not the best TE in the game in Gronk can’t hurt plus I doubt we are able to bring back Bennett. I would bring back Hightower Butler Ryan and many others before Bennett and his high asking price doesn’t help either and I don’t see him going to the Steeler unless you meant to say he will be a steal in the 3 or 4 round
Someone had to say it!
Steelers don’t pay the kind of money Bennett will want. He views himself as an elite TE. No one else does, but he does. He will be looking to break the bank and a desperate team will give him the money. Especially a desperate GM looking to turn around their fortunes before they get fired after next season.
Crazy idea…Baltimore. They need a TE and Ozzie hasn’t done crap lately. Not sure why ppl think he’s a genius. Nothing special going on between his ears.
Wouldnt say they need a tight end dennis pitta is an alright tight end
They also have Gilmore don’t they? And you do realize that Bennett isn’t on the Steelers and they have Ladarious Geen and Jessie James